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Thursday, April 11, 2024 
8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Shoshone Bannock Hotel

SOLD OUT! WAITLIST 208-282-2817

2024 KATHERINE AKERS
20K PITCH OFF!

Teams of student entrepreneurs pitch their ideas for new products and a services.
You Decide Who Wins.

Katherine "Katie" Akers

1926-2023

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In honor of his mother, Katherine, ISU Alum Roger Akers donated the funds to support and award this year's pitch off winners.

Katherine (Andersen) Akers graduated from Blackfoot High School in 1943.  She was the Senior Class Vice President.   Katherine (Andersen) Akers attended University of Idaho, Southern Branch in Pocatello (now Idaho State University) in 1945.  She was a member of the Beta Sigma Phi sorority.

 

Katie married William (Bill) Akers in 1947 .  They built a home north of Pocatello on the original homestead of Bill’s parents and raised 4 children (1 deceased).  Katie was always involved in her church, local election committees, and was a very prolific artist up until her passing.   

The watchwords around the Akers home were “education” and “work.” Good grades were expected, period.   It was not an option that their children would attend and graduate from university. Katie and Bill were very hard workers. Katie raised the kids, Bill worked as a nuclear engineer at INEL, and they continued to operate the family farm.

Their work ethic and values were transferred to their children and translated to a can-do mentality for all of us.  Katie childrens' success is a tribute to the values and work ethic instilled by Katie and Bill.

 Katie recently passed in August 2023 at the age of 97. Katie lived her faith and remained true to the values she and Bill instilled in the family as did their children.  “What a gift!”           

KEYNOTE

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Catherine Bosley

Forever and For All to See

No business, organization or individual is immune in this ever-evolving day of digital everything. As a long-time, award-winning TV anchor, Catherine is proof of that. She gives her audiences new know-how tools and actionable steps on how to protect that online/social media image. Reputation management has never been so crucial. 

WORKSHOPS

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Kim Sherman Labrum
You, Robot
AI for Small business marketing

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Claudia Allen
Get a Financial Grip 
Personal and business budgeting.

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Marie Baker
Sky's the Limit!
Leading from anywhere.

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Small Business Women Panel
Lessons from High Flyers

Krystal Chanda M.S., P.E.

A&E Engineering
Jade Forbush

Sentiments 4-D Ultrasound
Tiffani Wilson

On Point Performance
Amy Wolfe

Tyhee Storage

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​Speed Networking

Hosted by

Ann Swanson & Claudia Allen

Everybody network!  Based on the popularity of this event, all attendees will have the opportunity to participate. No competing workshops on the schedule.

Meet Everyone!
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$45  INDIVIDUAL

admission & lunch for 1

$120 VENDOR TABLE

admission & lunch for 1 + table

$360 COMPANY TABLE

CONTACT US

Women's Business Symposium

Thursday, April 11, 2024

8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Shoshone Bannock Hotel and Event Center

777 Bannock Trail, Fort Hall, ID 83203 

​Ann - Operations

208-282-4402

swanann@isu.edu

Claudia  - Attendees

208-282-2817

alleclau@isu.edu

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The Idaho Small Business Development Center (Idaho SBDC) is partially funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration. It operates in partnership with the SBA, Boise State University, and other funding sources. The support given by SBA through such funding does not constitute an expressed or implied endorsement of the co-sponsor's or participant's opinions, products or services. All programs are offered on a nondiscrimination basis. Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made, if requested at least two weeks in advance. 

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